My week on The Dolomiti Trail: five days you won’t forget

Travel Stories
Louise van Travelbase

What is The Dolomiti Trail?

I’ll be honest. When I saw the images of the Dolomites online – those rocky peaks, that blue water, that sky—I thought: it can’t actually look like that, right? Everyone knows that feeling. Reality usually ends up being a bit of a disappointment.

Spoiler: it wasn’t a disappointment here. And The Dolomiti Trail had everything to do with that.

The Dolomiti Trail is a self-guided multi-day hike through the heart of the Dolomites in northern Italy. On day one, you receive an extensive briefing from the English-speaking rangers: explanations about the route, the gear, and everything else you need. After that, you set off at your own pace – no guide pushing you forward, no fixed group schedule. This gives you the freedom of your own adventure with the reassurance that someone is standing by if needed.

I did the trail in July with my friend Ines, and in five days, we literally experienced everything: radiant sunshine, fog, rain, and thunderstorms at the summit. In the mountains, the weather knows no bounds, and that’s simply part of the deal.

I already had The Jordan Trail and The Iceland Trail under my belt, but for me personally, The Dolomiti Trail was the most challenging of the three. And that is exactly why it was so rewarding.

Challenging? Absolutely. Worth it? Even more so.

The Dolomiti Trail is not your average walk, and that’s exactly the point. The terrain is varied and sometimes rocky; you tackle significant elevation gains. Daily distances range between ten and twenty kilometers. With the right preparation and gear, you can go further than you think. I hiked 20 kilometers with a backpack every weekend for two months, and it paid off. The trail asks a lot of you, but every day offers a reward you won’t soon forget.

The route in a nutshell

The trail starts at Lago Sorapis and ends in Cortina d’Ampezzo, one of Italy’s most famous mountain villages. Five days, five stages, each with its own character.

  • Day 1 is a beautiful opener along the lake.

  • Day 2 takes you from the iconic Lago di Braies toward San Vigilio di Marebbe.

  • Day 3 is the longest day at 22 kilometers.

  • Day 4 demands the most from your legs: 1,300 meters of elevation gain up toward Alpe Lagazuoi.

  • Day 5 descends into Cortina, with an optional sixth day around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo as a grand finale.

 

Staying overnight in the mountains: more comfortable than you think

I had never slept in a mountain hut before. To be honest, I didn’t quite know what to expect.

You spend the first night in a hotel – a soft landing. The last night as well, if you choose that option. But in between, you stay in the rifugi, the traditional Italian mountain huts, and they are genuinely good. You get a shower every morning and food that you’ve more than earned after a day of hiking. Pasta, soup, local wine. And the atmosphere? Cozy and authentic – exactly what you need after a day in the mountains.

What stayed with me the most

The lakes.

I had expected the rocks, the vistas, and the altitude. But those lakes… I didn’t see that coming. The water is a shade of blue you won’t believe until you’re standing right in front of it. Bright green at the edges, deep blue in the middle, and so transparent you can see the bottom. You just stand there staring, and your brain refuses to accept that this is real.

That is the moment you realize: the photos on the internet didn’t do it justice. The Dolomiti Trail takes you to places you would never find on your own.

Is The Dolomiti Trail for you?

Are you looking for a hike that stays with you? One where you sit at the table in the evening, exhausted and satisfied, feeling like you’ve experienced something truly worthwhile? Then The Dolomiti Trail is exactly what you’re looking for.

Prepare well, pack the right gear, and let the Dolomites do the rest. Ines and I are already planning our next one. But honestly? The Dolomites are going to be hard to beat.

My tips for The Dolomitis Trail

  • Depart prepared. Build up your fitness gradually before the trail. Personally, I went for a 20-kilometer hike with a backpack every weekend for two months leading up to the trip. If you do that, you’ll step into the mountains with confidence.

  • Pack layers. Even in July. Weather in the mountains changes rapidly; a sunny morning can easily end with rain at the summit. A high-quality raincoat is not an unnecessary luxury.

  • Enjoy the rifugi. I understand the temptation to eat quickly and go to bed early, but take your time at the table. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is cozy, and it’s a vital part of the experience.

  • Listen closely to the day one briefing. The rangers will give you all the information you need. Take that time seriously, as you will need that knowledge once you’re out on the trail.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are the hikes organized?

The Dolomiti Trail is a self-guided trail. This means you'll be hiking the route entirely on your own. We ensure you have everything you need to make the journey a success. Everything is taken care of for you, so you don’t have to think about anything. All you need to do is hike and enjoy.

  • Our experienced rangers will give you a comprehensive briefing on the first day.
  • Then you'll start on the achievable and balanced route we've mapped out for you, all on your own.
  • In our handy trail app, you'll find an overview of all the routes and the important info for each day. This should enable you to hike the route completely independently.
  • We've also arranged your nights in the huts or on a campsite along the trail.
  • Of course, the rangers are available to help you whenever needed. You can contact them by phone with questions throughout the entire trip.
What about food and water?

During the hike, you'll regularly pass by a hut where you can grab something to eat or drink. Breakfast is always included in the huts where you stay overnight, and one of the two huts also includes dinner.

The night you stay in a tent at the campsite, you can dine at the restaurant on-site or visit the campsite's food truck. There's also a small shop with basic breakfast necessities.

On the evening when dinner is not included with your stay in the hut, you can choose your dinner from the hut's menu. (Note: this is not included, so you'll need to pay for it yourself after dinner.)

We recommend bringing enough food for the daytime. Make sure to pack plenty of snacks like nuts and dried fruit to keep your energy up.

If you prefer not to lunch in a hut every day or want to save some money, you can also purchase a food pack from us for €50. This food pack includes a cooking set (pot, gas burner, and gas canister) and several freeze-dried meals (daily lunch plus dinner and breakfast for the campsite). Don't forget to bring a lighter and reusable cutlery or a long spoon.

Additionally, make sure to bring your own water bottles. Ensure you can carry at least 2-3 liters of water. You can refill your water bottles at the huts, sometimes for a fee.

What should I bring?

You will receive a packing list well in advance with an overview of all the necessary materials.

The essentials are good hiking shoes that protect the ankles (category A-B/B), a backpack (about 30 – 45l), a sleeping bag liner, and protective (rain) clothing.

  • Choose shoes that you feel comfortable enough in to go on a long hike.
  • Be prepared for varying weather patterns. Good protective rain gear is an absolute must, and don’t forget to pack some warm clothing. It can get chilly in the evenings.
  • It is mandatory to bring your own sleeping bag liner for the huts. You can optionally rent a sleeping bag liner from us for €12.00 per person.

You can also optionally rent hiking poles from us for €12.00 per person. Hiking poles are highly recommended for multi-day treks in the mountains to relieve your joints and support your body.

Where do you sleep on this trail?

We take care of characterful accommodations. You'll be sleeping for a week in charming mountain huts and a cozy hotel along the trail. One night, you'll camp at a campsite, for which we provide the tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping mat. Sanitary facilities are available at each location.

  • 1 night in a cozy hotel (shared room) by the lake, including breakfast and dinner
  • 2 nights in huts along the trail (dormitory), including breakfast (bring your own liner)
  • 1 night in a tent at a campsite along the trail (tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping mat included)

At the hotel at the beginning of the week, you can choose between a bed in a shared room with other participants or a private double room.

In the mountain huts, you'll sleep in dorms or mattress rooms. These are shared rooms with several (bunk) beds or mattresses. So, you'll be sleeping alongside other hikers. This is unique and typical of life in the hut. Here, you can truly experience the mountains. A private room in the huts is not possible.

At the campsite, you'll stay in your own tent.

It's mandatory to bring your own sleeping bag. Be sure to also bring earplugs and/or a sleep mask to ensure a quiet night in the hut.

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